We need to have our foundations firm before we can be effective workers in the Kingdom of God. We need to know our position in Christ, otherwise the enemy attacks will bring us down.
The first thing we need to know is that we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). To be seated means to be at rest. I call religious Christianity "Christianism". Christianism demands that we do something in order to be spiritual. God tells us that we need to rest in Christ before we work.
"There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.…" Hebrews 4: 9 & 10
This sabbath rest is not the sabbath according to the Law. God created all things. He created Adam on the 6th day. Why on the last day? Because God prepared everything for Adam in advance. Adam needed to do nothing. It was all provided for him. Then God commissioned Adam to go to work.
God likewise has already provided everything we need in Christ. We cannot add to the finished work of Christ and we cannot take away from it. All we need to do is accept it and discover what it means for us in practice. That will take lifetime.
The Christian life is active, not passive. However, we have choice between following the desires of self or being led by the Spirit.
Galatians 5: 24 & 25
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.…"
Here we see a confirmation of the finished work of Christ. We are already crucified with Christ. We are alive in the Spirit. This is God's doing, not ours. But we have a choice to make, to be led by the Spirit or not. And that is the difference between a life that is effective and fruitful in God's kingdom or dead works fit only for the fire of God's judgement.
How do you walk in the Spirit? First, we need to be willing. If we see how pathetic and sinful our own ways are, we will be motivated to seek to walk in the Spirit. Too many are self confident and imagine that they can "help" God. God does not need our help. He wants our willing cooperation.
Finally, we need to stand on the truth of God's word. Believers will surely be attacked by Satan, especially those who seek to serve the Lord. Tribulation is the doorway to the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 6: 10-13 talks about the spiritual battle we face. Paul talks about standing 3 times. That is emphatic.
God wants us to come to the place where we are unshakeable. It won't happen overnight. If we humble ourselves, refuse to trust in our own abilities and seek God's ways, He will bring us to that place.
The first thing we need to know is that we are seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). To be seated means to be at rest. I call religious Christianity "Christianism". Christianism demands that we do something in order to be spiritual. God tells us that we need to rest in Christ before we work.
"There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.…" Hebrews 4: 9 & 10
This sabbath rest is not the sabbath according to the Law. God created all things. He created Adam on the 6th day. Why on the last day? Because God prepared everything for Adam in advance. Adam needed to do nothing. It was all provided for him. Then God commissioned Adam to go to work.
God likewise has already provided everything we need in Christ. We cannot add to the finished work of Christ and we cannot take away from it. All we need to do is accept it and discover what it means for us in practice. That will take lifetime.
The Christian life is active, not passive. However, we have choice between following the desires of self or being led by the Spirit.
Galatians 5: 24 & 25
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.…"
Here we see a confirmation of the finished work of Christ. We are already crucified with Christ. We are alive in the Spirit. This is God's doing, not ours. But we have a choice to make, to be led by the Spirit or not. And that is the difference between a life that is effective and fruitful in God's kingdom or dead works fit only for the fire of God's judgement.
How do you walk in the Spirit? First, we need to be willing. If we see how pathetic and sinful our own ways are, we will be motivated to seek to walk in the Spirit. Too many are self confident and imagine that they can "help" God. God does not need our help. He wants our willing cooperation.
Finally, we need to stand on the truth of God's word. Believers will surely be attacked by Satan, especially those who seek to serve the Lord. Tribulation is the doorway to the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 6: 10-13 talks about the spiritual battle we face. Paul talks about standing 3 times. That is emphatic.
God wants us to come to the place where we are unshakeable. It won't happen overnight. If we humble ourselves, refuse to trust in our own abilities and seek God's ways, He will bring us to that place.
